What:
U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey will present
a check of $97,450 to the Santa Rosa Fire Station
to save firefighters lives in the line of duty.

When:
Monday, November 29, 2004
10:30 AM

Where:
Santa Rosa Fire Station
955 Sonoma Avenue; Santa Rosa, CA

Speakers:
U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
Santa Rosa Fire Chief Bruce Varner
Santa Rosa Mayor Sharon Wright

Rep. Lynn Woolsey helped the Santa Rosa Fire Department receive a grant for $97,450 to train and equip firefighters in the line of duty. The grant will go towards improving the operational capabilities of the Fire Department and enhancing the safety and survivability of firefighters during structural firefighting.

“Today, firefighters are called to protect not only our lives and property but also, to be part of the first line of defense in the war on terrorism,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey. “We must ensure the safety of our community by properly training firefighters so they can accomplish their job and return safely to their homes and loved-ones.”

Specifically, the Santa Rosa Fire Department will use the money to enhance its Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training and equipment. Fighting fires in buildings is inherently dangerous and one fire company is always assigned the function of RIT - to be ready to go into the burning structure to save firefighters who may have become trapped or injured while fighting the fire.

“We absolutely appreciate Congresswoman Woolsey’s continued support for getting dollars into the local community where it can do the most good,” said Santa Rosa Fire Chief Bruce Varner. “This current amount is all about firefighter safety and survival. It will allow us to complete training to make sure that firefighters go home safe and uninjured.”

According to the Santa Rosa Fire Department, the funds will help prepare firefighters for RIT duties by purchasing additional radio communication equipment. Now, each on-duty firefighter will have a radio to call for help. It will also pay for many pieces of specialized rescue equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, and will provide funding for training firefighters in how to rescue their colleagues in precarious operations.

The $97,450 that Rep. Woolsey secured from the Department of Homeland Security Fire Grant Program is in addition to the $29 million that she brought home to Sonoma and Marin Counties from the FY05 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report. The bill has passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The spending bill is expected to be signed by the President tomorrow.